Standard (4000 PSI)
High Strength (5000 PSI)
Decorative (Stamped/Colored)
Estimated Concrete Cost
$0.00
Understanding Concrete Pricing
Calculating the cost of concrete for a project involves several key factors. This calculator helps you estimate the total price based on your project's dimensions, the type of concrete needed, its unit cost, and a factor for material waste. Accurately estimating concrete needs can save you significant time and money, preventing under-ordering or over-ordering.
How the Calculation Works
The core of the calculation is determining the total volume of concrete required.
Volume Calculation:
The project dimensions are first converted into a consistent unit. Length and width are usually in feet, while depth is typically in inches. To calculate cubic feet, the depth in inches is divided by 12 (to convert inches to feet).
Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Depth (in) / 12)
Conversion to Cubic Yards:
Concrete is sold by the cubic yard. There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3ft x 3ft x 3ft). So, the volume in cubic feet is divided by 27.
Volume (cubic yards) = Volume (cubic feet) / 27
Waste Factor:
It's standard practice to account for material waste due to spillage, uneven subgrades, or formwork inaccuracies. A waste factor (usually 5-15%) is added to the calculated volume.
Required Volume (cubic yards) = Volume (cubic yards) × (1 + Waste Factor / 100)
Total Cost:
Finally, the total cost is calculated by multiplying the required volume by the cost per cubic yard.
Total Cost = Required Volume (cubic yards) × Cost per Cubic Yard ($)
Factors Influencing Concrete Price
Concrete Strength (PSI): Higher strength concrete (measured in Pounds per Square Inch or PSI) generally costs more due to the specific mix ratios and additives. Our calculator offers options like standard (4000 PSI) and high strength (5000 PSI).
Concrete Type: Special mixes like decorative concrete (stamped, colored, or exposed aggregate) often have a higher price point due to added pigments, admixtures, or specialized finishing techniques.
Additives and Reinforcement: Fiber reinforcement, air-entraining agents (for freeze-thaw resistance), or other admixtures can increase the cost. Rebar or wire mesh for structural reinforcement is a separate cost.
Delivery Fees: For large quantities or difficult-to-access sites, delivery charges from the ready-mix plant can be significant.
Labor: This calculator focuses on material cost. The price of labor for site preparation, pouring, finishing, and curing is a separate, substantial cost.
Market Conditions: Prices can fluctuate based on the cost of raw materials (cement, aggregates, water) and local market demand.
Using this calculator provides a helpful estimate for the concrete material cost, enabling better budgeting for your construction or DIY projects. Always confirm final pricing with your concrete supplier.
function calculateConcretePrice() {
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("length").value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("width").value);
var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById("depth").value);
var costPerCubicYard = parseFloat(document.getElementById("costPerCubicYard").value);
var wasteFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById("wasteFactor").value);
var resultValueElement = document.getElementById("result-value");
var cubicYardsNeededElement = document.getElementById("cubicYardsNeeded");
// Clear previous results
resultValueElement.innerText = "$0.00";
cubicYardsNeededElement.innerText = "";
// Input validation
if (isNaN(length) || length <= 0 ||
isNaN(width) || width <= 0 ||
isNaN(depthInches) || depthInches <= 0 ||
isNaN(costPerCubicYard) || costPerCubicYard < 0 ||
isNaN(wasteFactor) || wasteFactor < 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all dimensions and cost. Waste factor can be 0 or positive.");
return;
}
// Calculations
var depthFeet = depthInches / 12;
var volumeCubicFeet = length * width * depthFeet;
var volumeCubicYards = volumeCubicFeet / 27;
// Apply waste factor
var requiredVolumeCubicYards = volumeCubicYards * (1 + wasteFactor / 100);
// Calculate total cost
var totalCost = requiredVolumeCubicYards * costPerCubicYard;
// Display results, formatted to two decimal places
resultValueElement.innerText = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
cubicYardsNeededElement.innerText = "Estimated Cubic Yards Needed: " + requiredVolumeCubicYards.toFixed(2);
}